The 2012 Season Is On It's Way

The 2012 rafting season is just around the corner and it promises to be yet another outstanding year here on the Kern River. Our Whitewater School launches on April 14th and we expect to be running Forks and Upper Kern trips from April 28th through June 17th. The Lower Kern will kick in on Memorial Day weekend and is expected to run through August 19th, however the season on the Lower could be extended if releases from the Isabella Reservoir allow. Keep these booking windows in mind when planning your trip to take advantage of the best water levels the Kern River has to offer this year. If you have any questions about our trips or would like to check on availability, give our office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

Thanks for an Outstanding 2011 Rafting Season

The 2011 rafting season here on the Kern River has officially come to a close, however we wanted to take a moment to give a big "THANKS" to all of our valued customers who joined us on the river this year. It was a season that provided enough adventures and smiles to last a lifetime and we couldn't have done it without all of you.

The past couple of days, an early arctic storm has pounded the Sierra Nevada and with it, the promise of yet another fabulous year of rafting in 2012. Keep your collective fingers crossed for more "Bigwater" and thanks again to everyone for making it all possible.

"Premium" Lower Kern Trips to Round Out the 2011 Season

The Lower Kern is STILL flowing at outstanding levels. We expect to run Two Day trips through September 11th. After that, we will be running our Lower Kern One Day "Premium" trips exclusively through Sunday, September 18th. Take advantage of this epic water flow and fabulous one day trip on the Lower this month. Feel free to call our office at 1-800-323-4234 for more details.

Outstanding Rafting Conditions on the Lower Kern are Expected through August

Rafting conditions are expected to be outstanding for those looking to run Lower Kern two day trips through the month of August and even into September this year. The abundant snow pack placed in the Southern Sierra Nevada this past winter is providing a seemingly endless runoff this summer and the water flows on the Lower are expected to be in the range of 2000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through August. Keith Stephens, general manager of Kern River Outfitters mentions, “We could not have ordered more ideal water flow conditions for our guests this year. The Lower Kern is currently running at 2175cfs and the Upper is still presenting levels close to 2000cfs. We’re projecting to run our Lower Kern two day trips through September 13th this year with August being the prime time in terms of great water conditions. The Upper Kern should provide really fun flows through the middle of August which is almost unheard of most years. We are thrilled to be able to offer high quality rafting trips throughout this time frame and have Mother Nature to thank for the opportunity.” Feel free to give our reservations office a call for up-to-date water flow conditions and trip availability. 1-800-323-4234

Rapid Profile: Horseshoe Falls, Lower Kern River

Horseshoe Falls is one of our favorite rapids on the Lower Kern. It is the third of five Class IV rapids on the second day of the trip. Horseshoe commences with a quick right hand turn at the top and feeds into a long straight- a-way that leads to its most well know feature: Horseshoe Hole, a large hydraulic that wages a ton of fun to folks who venture through its frothy mass. After running through or around this feature, paddlers will find a quick left hand turn that places them into a calm pool where they can rest for a while, tell tall tales of the rapid just run, or maybe venture up to “Horseshoe Jumping Rock” and take an exhilarating leap of faith from the 15 foot perch back to the calm water below. Whatever route you take, this rapid and the relaxing respite below it will leave you with a permanent ear to ear grin.

Making the Most of Your Visit to the Kern River Valley

A whitewater rafting trip on the Upper, Lower, or Forks of the Kern is certainly the highlight of a visit to the Kern River Valley however, many times our guest ask us what they can do to extend their visit beyond a day or two on the water. Our office staff are all experts at helping our guests plan their summer vacations and they have plenty of suggestions for activities to augment your visit to the Kern River. Here are a some great suggestions to add a day or two to your visit:

1. A day hike to a grove of Giant Sequoia trees in the high country about an hour away from Kernville.

2. Spend a day learning the art of fly fishing with Guy Jeans of Kern River Fly Fishing Guide Service. Guy is an expert fly fisherman and knows exactly where the hungry trout lie.

3. Check out the activities available on Lake Isabella. Jet skis, pontoon boats, fishing and water skiing boats and kayaks are available at the North Fork Marina. Give Deb a call at

1-760-376-1812 for more information.

4. Spend a leisurely day or afternoon playing a round of golf at the Kern River Golf Course. It’s a great nine hole course nestled in the middle of the scenic Kern River Canyon. You can’t beat the views. and the course is beautifully maintained.

5. Check out the haunted Silver City Ghost Town. It’s packed with historic buildings and has a few “certified” ghosts reported to be lurking in the woodwork.

6. The Kern River Brewing Company (KRBC). Admittedly, you probably won’t be spending an entire day at the KRBC, however Eric, Rebecca, and Kyle have perfected the art of brewing some of the tastiest craft beers (and root beer) ever to grace your taste buds. It’s a great place to relax after a day running the rapids, a hike, or a playing a round of golf.

Our office staff has plenty of other great ideas to help make your visit to the Kern River a fun and memorable experience. Feel free to give them a call at 1-800-323-4234 for more information.

Don't Miss the Extended Season on the Upper Kern this Summer

The Upper Kern River offers the perfect solution for those looking for a one day or partial day whitewater rafting trip this summer. The extended 2011 season will allow us to run outstanding trips on the Upper through the middle of August. With the huge peak flows just behind us, the water is clear, exhilarating, and spectacular. If you’re looking for a one day Class IV rafting trip complete with tons of fun rapids, a fabulous riverside lunch, and unbeatable scenery, the Upper Kern is an excellent choice. In addition to the full day trip, the Upper also offers a Class IV afternoon half day and two hour Class III Double Lickety Split trips for those with less time available but a yearning to sample the river. The minimum age for our Class IV trips is 9; the minimum age for the Double Lickety Split is 5. Feel free to call our reservations office at 1-800-323-4234 if you have any questions or would like to make a reservation.

A Celebration of Whitewater and Fireworks on the Kern River

Kern River Outfitters is offering several tempting opportunities for friends and families to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend this year. There is still some availability for rafting trips on the Upper and Lower Kern and they have just opened two half day trips on the Lower Kern for Saturday, July 2^nd and Monday July 4^th. Keith Stephens, general manager for Kern River Outfitters states, “The Fourth of July weekend is one of the most popular rafting weekends of the year. The Upper and Lower Kern rivers are still providing fabulous flows for river trips and the local community puts on an exciting fireworks show over Lake Isabella the evening of July 2^nd. We have been recommending several options for our guests that would like to go rafting and still have some time to take in the fireworks show. One is a two day Lower Kern trip departing Friday, July 1^st, a couple others are a one day trip on the Upper or a half day on either the Upper or Lower on Saturday the 2^nd. Any of these options allow our guests to have a great day on the water and still take in the fireworks display over the lake. Guests oftentimes like to add in a round of golf at our local course or a hike to the Giant Sequoia trees to the vacation mix. Our office has a host of great ideas to get folks on the water as well as enjoy all the Kern River Valley has to offer holiday visitors. ”

Kern River Outfitters runs one day, Class IV and Class V trips on the Upper Kern, and two day trips on the Lower Kern. These trips are favorites of groups of family and friends. Three day, Class V trips on the Forks of the Kern are also available for those looking for a world class backcountry river trip. For those looking for shorter experience, they also offer half day and two hour trips.

With more than 40 professional river guides on staff and over 35 years in the business, Kern River Outfitters is one of the most experienced and popular rafting companies offering trips on the Kern River. For more details on any of these trips or ideas to enjoy the Kern Valley this Fourth of July, visit www.KernRafting or give their office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

Cool Video of the Lower Kern

Click here to check out this great video of the Lower Kern taken by our guide Mike Spradlin a few days ago. It's some pretty fun footage. The Lower Kern will be running through mid-September this year. If you have any questions about the Lower or any of the other stretches of river we run, feel free to give our office a call @ 1-800-323-4234.

2011 Guest Rewards Card

This year the rafting season is not only going to provide the best water to raft on since 1998, it’s also going to have one of the longest durations as well. The Upper and Forks of the Kern will run well into August and the Lower Kern, already flowing at a fabulous level, will run well into September. Rare seasons like this offer our guests plenty of time to see more than one stretch of the river over the course of the summer and we’d like to help you do just that. As such, we are issuing all of our guests a 2011 Guest Rewards Card at the completion of their trip. This card entitles you a $25 credit towards your next trip this season. This is a small way for us to say “Thanks” for joining us and offer an enticement to see one of the other spectacular sections of the Kern all in one year.

How to Choose a River Outfitter

A rafting vacation is a popular way for families and groups of friends to enjoy the thrill of whitewater and the serenity of the great outdoors. But how do you choose the most competent outfitter? Keith Stephens, general manager of Kern River Outfitters, suggests you ask a few simple questions. “Experience and track record are paramount when one looks for a professional outfit. Outfitters who are able to attract and hold top quality guides are in the position to offer their guests the best experience on the river.” Stephens advises to inquire as to how much experience a company’s guide staff offers. When shopping for an outfitter, here are a few a few key questions to ask:

1. Do they have a loyal customer base that returns year after year?
2. How long have they been outfitting on the stretch of river you’re intending to run?
3. Are they held in high regard by the federal agencies overseeing their permit?
4. Is their guide staff competent and family friendly?

Answers to these simple questions can shed light on the sometimes foggy process of choosing the right outfit for your group.

River trips can range from hour long jaunts to multi day adventures and rapids from easy Class II and III to more moderate Class IV and high adventure Class V outings. “An excellent rafting outfitter should have a depth of guide staff that can negotiate all of these levels of rapid difficulty with confidence,” Stephens adds. Guide personality is also a key factor in a successful, fun rafting trip. Ask your prospective outfitter the average age and make up of their guide staff. An excellent outfitter will have a good variety of men and women guides who not only specialize in technical skills on the water, but are also interesting, engaging hosts.

Kern River Outfitters has been at the forefront running trips on the Kern River in Southern California for over 30 years. They specialize in running all sections of the Kern River including the Upper, Lower, and Forks of the Kern. They offer trips from a two hour Class II and III run to three day Class V runs. Their most popular trip is the Two Day Lower Kern trip.

With more than 40 professional river guides on staff and over 35 years in the business, Kern River Outfitters is one of the most experienced and popular rafting companies offering trips on the Kern River. For more details on any of the trips they offer, visit www.KernRafting or give their office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

2011 Rafting Season Unfurled

The Kern River Outfitters Flag was raised today to signify the opening of the 2011 rafting season. We've been running trips for over two weeks, however, today it seemed appropriated to raise the flag in honor of what promises to be an outstanding year on the Kern River. The flag will great us every morning as we make preparations to run the day's trips. We'll keep it up until the last trip runs sometime in mid to late September this year. If you have a hankering to run the Upper, Lower, or Forks of the Kern this year, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-323-4234 for more information. Don't miss out on one of the most best years the Kern River has recorded in recent memory.

The Great 2011 Lower Camp Wash Out

The storms of 2011 have deposited one of the best snow packs in recent memory, but they left a bit of carnage in their wake. Pictured above is a wash out at our Lower Kern camp. Guide Gary "Firestarter" Thornbrugh gives a little scale to the ditch the torrent of water carved. Word has it that the road leading to the Forks of the Kern also suffered the same fate and won't be open until the first week of June, at best. Good news though: our camp road is being repaired as we type this. This little memory of the winter storms' fury will soon be smoothed over. It is now time to play on the melting snow for the next four or five months. Get ready to have some serious fun.

Rafting Center Grand Opening: June 1st 2011

WOFFORD HEIGHTS, CALIF. – May 2, 2011 – Kern River Outfitters in conjunction with the Kernville and Kern Valley Chamber of commerce has announced June 1^st as the grand opening of their newly re-modeled Rafting Center in Wofford Heights. Painstaking effort and attention to detail in design makes this building the perfect fit for guests joining them for rafting trips this summer. A hospitality center offers guests coffee, tea, or hot chocolate upon arrival and a spacious retail area allows for ease of browsing for those looking for incidentals and souvenirs. New changing rooms offer guests a convenient place to change into their river gear and a custom designed “Photo Bar” has been installed to allow guests to comfortably view pictures of their rafting trip upon their return.

Landscape architect David Prior with Grow Tech landscaping mentions, “People have relayed the building is now the most attractive in Wofford Heights. The Eldarica Pine trees surrounded by numerous manzanita, juniper, Texas Sage, penstemons and a host of other native plants in conjunction with an attractive boulder arrangement gives the exterior of the building a handsome look that compliments the whitewater theme to a tee.” Keith Stephens, general manager of Kern River Outfitters concurs, “The building looks fabulous. We are all excited to greet our guests at this wonderful facility. It has taken a while to come together, but it was worth the wait. The building projects the quality and professionalism that has been our hallmark for over 30 years.”

The grand opening will run from 6:30–8:30p.m. and will feature a tour of the premises, door prizes, and refreshments for all who attend. If you are able to make the function, please RSVP Jim Ritter at 1-866-213-7754.

With more than 40 professional river guides on staff and over 35 years in the business, Kern River Outfitters is one of the most experienced and popular rafting companies offering trips on the Kern River. For more details on this grand opening or any of the trips they offer, visit www.KernRafting or give their office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

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Kern River Outfitters Announces 2011 Summer Schedule

WOFFORD HEIGHTS, CALIF. – March 21, 2011

Kern River Outfitters has announced their summer schedule with the approach of the 2011 rafting season. Guide training begins on April 16, Upper Kern One Day trips start the weekend of April 23, Lower Kern One Day trips are scheduled to begin April 30, and Lower Kern Two Day trips are slated to begin May 15. Forks of the Kern trips will be begin in early May. The anticipated high water from mid-May through early June will necessitate a black out period for the Forks trips. “The peak water flow this year will most likely occur between the last week of May and the first week of June this year,” comments Keith Stephens, general manger for Kern River Outfitters. Stephens adds, “The best time to run the Forks of the Kern this year will be from June 15 through early August due to the abundant snow pack. The Upper Kern should run through the first week of August and the ever popular Two Day Lower Kern trip should easily run though Labor Day weekend this season. It is going to be a very busy year for rafting here on the Kern River.”

Wednesday, June 1, the company will hold the grand opening of their newly renovated Rafting Center complete with refreshments and a showing of outstanding river photography by noted outdoor photographer Tysun McMullan. “The long awaited opening of our new Rafting Center will be a time of celebration here on the Kern River,” says Stephens, “The opening coupled with the fantastic water flow this year has everyone beaming with excitement.”

With more than 40 professional river guides on staff and over 35 years in the business, Kern River Outfitters is one of the most experienced and popular rafting companies offering trips on the Kern River. For more details, visit www.KernRafting or give their office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

Join Us on the Lower Kern this Labor Day Weekend

Here is a photo of a some happy folks who just came off our Lower Kern trip this afternoon. We still have a few spaces for one and two day trips this weekend. Our last half day Lower on Labor Day also has 10 spaces available. Summer is not over yet. You still have an opportunity to get your whitewater fix before fall sets in. If you would like more information on our trips, feel free to give our reservations office a call at 1-800-323-4234 and we'll save a seat for you and your family.

Sunshine and Fun on the Lower Kern River

The Lower Kern is still running at a great level. Pictured above is a group of happy rafters celebrating after running Hari Kari Rapid on the Lower. With water temperatures close to 70 degrees and beautiful, sunny days, August could be the best time of the year to enjoy either a one or two day Lower Kern trip. There is still some space available for this upcoming Saturday (8/21) departure. If you'd like more information on one of these trips, feel free to give our office a call at 1-800-323-4234. We are here to help and happy to assist you plan your visit to the Kern River Valley this year.

Powerful Possum Rapid, Lower Kern

Don't miss out on the fun. There is still time to plan the rafting trip of a lifetime. 1-800-323-4234

Perseid Meteor Shower Offers Stunning Show for Lower Kern Overnight Guests

Guests on our Lower Kern overnight trips will be treated to a spectacular show when gazing at the stars overhead over the next couple of weeks. The Perseid Meteor Showers will be at their peak this evening and will offer stargazers a brilliant light show all through the night. The shooting stars are expected to light up the night sky once or twice a minute throughout the evening.

Although the peak is expected this evening, above average shooting star activity can be expected throughout the month of August. If you can't make it up to the river where the conditions are ideal, take a moment to step out tonight wherever you are and see if you can catch a glimpse of this event.

Better yet, join us for a Two Day trip on the Lower Kern this month and accent an outstanding river trip with one of Mother Natures most spectacular night sky shows.

For more information, give our office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

Outstanding Lower Kern Flows Continue

The Lower Kern continues to offer outstanding water flows as we approach mid-August and head into September. The photo above is of guide Bridget Murphy and her crew as they rounded the bend and took aim at Horseshoe Falls rapid on the Lower a few days ago. With flows expected to exceed 2000cfs (cubic feet per second) tomorrow, the Lower Kern will provide whitewater enthusiasts the best rafting conditions of any river in California.

Our plush camp on the Lower Kern is the perfect place to spend the evening under the stars in anticipation of your next day on the water. If you can't join us for an overnight trip, we may be able to get you on either the first or second day of this spectacular run. Take a look at our Lower Kern map for some photos of the rapids and popular landmarks.

If you would like information on rafting the Lower Kern, feel free to give our office a call at 1-800-323-4234.

Clear Skies Return To The Kern River Valley

Photo by Brett Duxbury:

The "Bull Fire" that raged through the Upper Kern Canyon only a couple of days ago has moved away from the Kern Valley. This photograph, taken a few hours ago, clearly shows the area north of Kernville scarred by the blaze.

Contrary to recent reports, the sky above is crystal clear and beautiful. Although this fire is still burning in the back country, the Kern River Valley's picture perfect blue sky has returned. Nature's recovery efforts are already in full swing and our trips on the Lower Kern River are running uninhibited by the recent event. Still flowing at levels around 2,000cfs, the Lower Kern is the perfect place to spend a couple of days with friends and family. The water's great, the air is clear, and the scenery is fabulous. Call 1-800-323-4234 to check for availability and reserve your seat in our whitewater playground.